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Milken Family Foundation Surprises Broken Arrow Teacher with $25,000 Milken Educator Award

Union 8^th Grade Center's Tamarah Danzy among more than 60 recipients nationwide, second in Oklahoma

Oprah Winfrey congratulates Milken Educators in heartwarming video message as 'light in this world'

April 08, 2022

BROKEN ARROW, Okla. — Today in a surprise assembly, Broken Arrow science teacher Tamarah Danzy of Union 8^th Grade Center received the surprise of a lifetime in front of cheering students, colleagues, state and local officials and media—a $25,000 Milken Educator Award presented by the Milken Family Foundation. The Award is bestowed annually upon outstanding educators across the country and this season included two recipients from Oklahoma. Danzy joins Council Oak Elementary Principal Aubrey Flowers of Tulsa, who was presented with the honor earlier today. 

"Masterful educators are those who inspire their students as well as their colleagues. Tamarah Danzy's solutions-oriented approach, model leadership and positive attitude are what make her a Milken Educator," said Greg Gallagher, senior program director for the Milken Educator Awards. "We are proud to welcome Tamarah into the Milken Educator Network and look forward to the contributions she will most certainly provide." 

Hailed as the "Oscars of Teaching," the Milken Educator Awards celebrate, elevate and activate the American teaching profession and inspire young, capable people to join it. The Milken Educator Award is not a lifetime achievement honor. Recipients are heralded while early to mid-career for what they have achieved — and for the promise of what they will accomplish given the resources and opportunities inherent in the Award. 

"Tamarah believes in every one of her students and motivates them to master essential skills needed in science and engineering," said State Superintendent of Public Instruction Joy Hofmeister. "She prepares her young learners to be ready for college and career through engaging, hands-on lessons that they will build on in high school, and she challenges them to research and discover on their own. Tamarah is a model teacher in Oklahoma and we are so delighted that she has been recognized as a Milken Educator." 

Oprah, a longtime education advocate, shared her congratulations to this year's winners in a video message shared earlier this year thanking "the most incredible educators around the country" and acknowledging her deep appreciation for the "tireless work" they do. 

More About Tamarah Danzy 

Creativity: Danzy has a unique ability to engage her eighth grade students and excite them about science. She incorporates literary strategies, technology and student input into lessons. Students conduct hands-on experiments to illustrate physical science subjects like force, gravity and objects in motion, all while remaining engaged under Danzy's expert teaching. Lessons involve building scientific vocabulary with QR codes and matching games, while encouraging student involvement and autonomy through the use of Instagram polls to shape upcoming units of study. 

Leadership through inspiration: Danzy's solutions-oriented attitude and joyful, inspiring presence is part of her extraordinary skillset that bolsters a supportive, nurturing and respectful classroom environment. She mentors student teachers and contributes to state science assessments, and was one of several teachers selected for Union's Flex Group, which addresses learning gaps with one-on-one and small-group instruction during an extended period each day. Danzy freely shares her effective instructional strategies with colleagues and has led districtwide professional development. She has served as the junior varsity cheer coach for more than a decade and often attends sporting events, musical performances and other activities in which her students participate. Hailing from a family of educators, Danzy serves as a positive role model, especially for students of color, and has created a noticeable domino effect — students become better under her tutelage, thereby encouraging their peers to be better. 

Education: Danzy earned a bachelor's in science in 2004 from University of Central Oklahoma and a master's in education in 2018 from University of Phoenix.

More About the Milken Educator Awards: "The future belongs to the educated."

Along with the $25,000 financial prize, recipients join the national Milken Educator Network, a group of more than 2,800 top teachers, principals and specialists. The network serves as a rich resource for fellow educators, legislators, school boards and others dedicated to excellence in education. 

• In June, the honorees will attend an all-expenses-paid Milken Educator Awards Forum in Los Angeles, where they will network with their new colleagues as well as veteran Milken Educators and other education leaders about how to increase their impact on K-12 education. In addition, they will learn about how to become involved in the Milken Friends Forever (MFFs) mentoring program, in which freshman Milken Educators receive personalized coaching and support from a Milken Educator veteran on ways to elevate their instructional practice and take an active role in educational leadership, policy and practice.
• Over the years, more than $140 million in funding, including $70 million for the individual cash awards, has been devoted to the overall Milken Awards initiative, which includes powerful professional development opportunities throughout recipients' careers. 
• Veteran Milken Educators frequently go on to serve in leadership roles at state, national and international levels. 
• "We find you. You don't find us!" Unlike most teacher recognition programs, the Milken Educator Awards initiative has no formal nomination or application process. Candidates are sourced through a confidential selection process and then reviewed by blue ribbon panels in each state. The most exceptional candidates are recommended for the award, with final selection made by the Milken Family Foundation. 
• The $25,000 cash award is unrestricted. Recipients have used the money in diverse ways. For instance, some have spent the funds on their children's or their own continuing education, financing dream field trips, establishing scholarships, and even adopting children.   

To get regular updates on the surprise Milken Educator Award events or to watch the award events unfold, follow and use the #MilkenAward hashtag on Facebook (@MilkenEducatorAwards), Twitter (@Milken), YouTube (/MilkenAward), Instagram (MilkenFamilyFdn), and TikTok (@MilkenAward). 

For more information, visit MilkenEducatorAwards.org or call the Milken Family Foundation at (310) 570-4772. 

About the Milken Educator Awards
The first Milken Educator Awards were presented by the Milken Family Foundation in 1987. The awards provide public recognition and individual financial rewards of $25,000 to elementary and secondary school teachers, principals and specialists from around the country who are furthering excellence in education. Recipients are heralded in early to mid-career for what they have achieved and for the promise of what they will accomplish. The initiative was created by the Milken Family Foundation, which celebrates 40 years of elevating education in America and around the world. Learn more at MFF.org 

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